High Performance Sports Fitness Electric Bike: Assistance Without Losing Effort

The term “high performance” is frequently related to the maximum motor power, speed or battery size.

Those numbers give an incomplete definition on fitness riding.

The High Performance Sports Fitness Electric Bike should be able to assist the rider with a planned session with controlled effort. Electric assistance should be there to help with steep hills, headwinds, longer distances, or even to help get back to base.

The pertinent question about performance is not:

“What will be the output of the motor?”

It is:

“What fine control does the rider have over utilization of that power?”

Zoulaglide's already available sports fitness electric bike guide explains how this all correlates to each other.

 

Some people don't care about fitness, others do.

Riding one day, then several days of nothing isn't an effective training regime.

For many recreational riders, it's not about going as fast as you can, it's about consistency. By making routes, hills and distances more digestible, without taking the effort out of riding, an electric bicycle can help ensure consistency.

The control of a fitness oriented set up should enable the rider to control:

lroute length;

lride duration;

lpedal-assist level;

lmechanical gear;

lterrain difficulty;

lrecovery periods;

lweekly riding frequency.

These factors allow the bike to be used for endurance, interval training, active recovery, commuting or mixed surface recreation.

What it implies is Pedal Assistance should be a Workload Dial.

Exercise is not necessarily gone with the use of pedals. This can only be effective or not, depending on its usage.

One of the easiest ways to get fit is:

lNo or low assistance – flat road warm up and increased rider input;

lModerate assistance: enduring moderate terrain or riding/rolling;

lSteeper hills, headwinds, fatigue management and/or the return trip to their home.

There should be a smooth engagement of assistance. If the motor surges it is more difficult to maintain cadence and can affect control when slowing down for turns.

Torque-responsive assistance is likely to feel more natural since it varies according to how hard the rider pedals. Cadence based systems can also be used for training, but riders must know when the motor is "on" and "off" to provide power.

The idea is to strategically utilize the assistance, rather than using the max level for the whole ride.

 

Despite the mechanical gears that rule the pedaling experience.

The function of a motor assistance and the function of mechanical gears are different.

Assistance: Adjusts amount of external support for rider. A change of gear affects the ratio of the pedaling cadence to the wheel speed.

A lower gear may assist the cyclist to cycle smoother on a hill. The higher gear will help with high speed on flat surfaces, but may require more muscle power if used too soon.

The poor selection of gears can lead to:

loverly slow and strong pedaling;

lquick tempo and non-functional resistance;

lunnecessary drivetrain strain;

lSudden changes of effort;

lFelt more tired when running up hills.

Ease off before the hill gets steep and ease off the pedals for a short period of time during the gear change. Fitness riding shouldn't be about continually pushing the pedals at heavy load.

 

Focus Sessions on Terrain as Well as Velocity.

Average speed can be misleading as wind, hills, traffic, surface condition and level of assistance all have an impact on average speed.

A better training route would have sections that are marked:

leasy warm-up;

lsteady flat-road effort;

leither resistance or controlled hill section;

llower-intensity recovery;

loptional repeated effort;

lgradual cool-down.

Different sessions can be conducted on the same route using varying levels of assistance and/or equipment. If it's a tough day, the rider can cut back on the motor power when on level ground. Moderate assistance can be given on a day of recovery to allow the legs to move without the same effort.

Zoulaglide's electric trekking bikes are examples of bikes that are designed for long-distance trips and rough terrain.

Session Type	Route Profile	Assistance Strategy	Primary Purpose
Easy Recovery Ride	Flat and familiar	Moderate, consistent support	Comfortable movement
Endurance Session	Long rolling route	Low to moderate assistance	Sustainable riding time
Hill Practice	Route with controlled climbs	Low on flats, higher when needed	Climbing technique
Cadence Session	Flat uninterrupted path	Stable low assistance	Smooth pedal rhythm
Mixed-Surface Ride	Pavement and light gravel	Adjust by surface	Control and adaptability
Commuter Fitness	Normal work route	Lower support outbound, flexible return	Regular weekly activity

 

The load on the tires is changed during training.

The broad tires can offer traction, support and assurance on uneven surfaces like cracked or broken roads, gravel roads or park trails. They tend to have greater rolling resistance, though, when compared to narrow road tires.

Not all resistance is bad when it comes to fitness riding. It can boost the rider's effort at the same speed, and, when it gets harder or steeper, electric assistance can be relied on.

There is another aspect of the session that is influenced by tire pressure:

lhigher approved pressure will have a better performance in rolling;

lReducing the pressure approved will enhance comfort and grip;

linsufficient pressure will cause drag, and may lead to loss of handling accuracy;

lExcessive pressure can make for less comfort on rough surfaces.

Never exceed or go below the tire manufacturer's pressure limits.

Workout Capacity Depends on the Proper fit

No matter how good your bike is, if you're riding it badly, you won't be able to fix the problem simply by upgrading your machine.

Leg extension must not be accompanied by rocking of the hips and the saddle should allow comfortable leg extension. Elbows should remain in a relaxed position on the handlebar and steering control should be stable. The rider must be able to reach the brake and controls without having to change his/her hands.

Fit affects:

lpedaling efficiency;

lthe mobility of the knee and hip;

lwrist & shoulder pressure;

lbreathing comfort;

lcontrol during fatigue;

lRide regularly and are willing to do so.

An open-step or step through frame may make mounting easier but will not hinder active fitness riding. It is important to remember that the right frame isn't necessarily the athletic-looking one, but rather the one that's right for the rider's body, flexibility and route.

Carefully use Display Data

A display can be used to help organize fitness sessions, track speed, distance, level of assistance, battery life and time of the trip.

These metrics can be used to compare multiple rides with similar circumstances. They don't directly measure the quality of the workout or the number of calories you burn without proper rider data and validated sensors on the bicycle.

A practical ride record will be able to record:

ltotal time;

ldistance;

lroute;

lassistance level;

lperceived effort;

lweather;

lWellness post ride.

Perceived effort STILL counts. A rider should be able to tell the difference between an easy ride, a sustainable training pace and a pace that they can't ride safely.

 

The E17 as a Fitness Oriented Example - A Case Study

The Zoulaglide E17 is a combination of features that can allow for fitness and recreational rides.

It is currently published as:

lA brushless motor of 250W;

lup to 25 km/h of assistance;

lA 7-speed Shimano transmission;

l26×3.0-inch heavy-duty tires;

lhydraulic braking;

lA removable 48V battery;

la multi-function LCD;

lan open-frame design.

The drivetrain can be adjusted for mechanical resistance and the assistance system can be adjusted based on terrain and rider fatigue. Wide tires are for a combination of urban and recreational surfaces, but result in higher rolling resistance than narrow road tires.

A detachable battery makes the device easier to charge indoors, and with an announced PAS range, it's possible to achieve longer sessions in the right conditions. Actual distance achieved will depend on the rider mass, assistance level, tire pressure, gradients, wind and temperature.

 

Hard Work = Good Recovery.

With a High Performance Sports Fitness Electric Bike it can be easy to prolong all rides. This still needs to be a gradual process.

Vary one of the big variables at a time:

ldistance;

lduration;

lhill frequency;

llower-assistance time;

lNumber of session(s) per week.

Inspect tire pressure, brake condition, battery mounting and drivetrain condition for longer rides. Take water, basic tools, weather protection and suitable repair kit.

A fitness e-bike should be able to take the rider far enough to get back in control to ride back safely. Stop for immediate pain, dizziness, out-of-breath or loss of co-ordination. Inactive people, or those with a health problem related to exercise, should obtain appropriate advice from a professional before starting to exercise.

Hard isn't necessarily a good fitness setup. It is characterized by the controlled effort which the rider can repeat and build up with time.

Other battery, range, charging and maintenance questions can be perused in the Zoulaglide FAQ.

Ride Date	Duration	Distance	Main Assist Level	Perceived Effort 1–10	Recovery Next Day
______	______ min	______ km	______	______	Easy / Moderate / Poor
______	______ min	______ km	______	______	Easy / Moderate / Poor
______	______ min	______ km	______	______	Easy / Moderate / Poor
______	______ min	______ km	______	______	Easy / Moderate / Poor
______	______ min	______ km	______	______	Easy / Moderate / Poor

 

FAQ

Q1. Is an eBike a genuine “workout”?

Yes. Throughout the ride, the rider can decrease the assistance, change the right gears, plan the trip and peddle his/her way. Training value will NOT be determined by having a motor only, but by effort and consistency.

Q2. What's the optimum level of assistance for fitness riding?

No one level is the best. Low assistance levels will provide more rider input, and moderate or high assistance can help in the event of a hill, headwind, recovery or return ride.

Q3. For sports fitness riding are wide tires an appropriate option?

Yes, particularly on rough roads, mixed surfaces. They enhance comfort and traction and can cause more rolling resistance than narrower road tires.

Q4. Is the ultimate fitness performance based on the power one can deliver using their motor?

No. Smooth assistance, smooth gearing, smooth fit, smooth braking, route planning and rider's control effort is more important than maximum motor output.

Q5. Can electric bike help you to lose weight?

Riding regularly can be a way of being active, however, it will be dependent on the overall level of activity, diet, health and consistency. E-bikes shouldn't be marketed as a sure-fire way to lose weight.